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United States Judy Blume is an acclaimed American author recognized for her significant contributions to children's, young adult, and adult fiction.
Judy Blume sponsors a grant for indie bookstores through SCBWI with a multi-year donation. This partnership supports independent bookstores and the children's book industry.
Judy Blume co-founded a small, nonprofit bookshop in Key West, Florida, with her husband, George Cooper, where she actively participates in its daily operations and hosts events like conversations with other authors.
Judy Blume works with the National Coalition Against Censorship to support writers, teachers, librarians, and combat book banning and protect intellectual freedom. She has been a board member since the 1980s.
Judy Blume serves on the board of the Author's Guild, currently as Vice President, supporting authors' rights and interests.
Judy Blume teaches a writing course on MasterClass, sharing her career journey and insights into the creative process.
Judith Marcia Sussman, known as Judy Blume, was born on February 12, 1938, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She pursued her education at New York University, graduating in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in early education. Blume began her writing career in 1959, aiming to find a creative outlet as a homemaker. After initial rejections, her first book, “The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo,” was published in 1969. This was quickly followed by “Iggie’s House” in 1970. The 1970s marked a prolific period for Blume, establishing her as a prominent voice in young adult literature. Her third book, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” (1970), became a breakthrough best-seller, and she continued to publish numerous popular works for children and young adults, including “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” (1972) and “Blubber” (1974).
Blume’s writing is notable for addressing sensitive and complex subjects in a direct and honest manner, resonating with young readers. Her themes often included menstruation, puberty, divorce, bullying, and sexuality, which were considered groundbreaking for their time. While her work garnered immense popularity, it also faced considerable controversy and censorship, particularly for titles like “Forever…” (1975), which depicted teen sexuality. Despite these challenges, her books have achieved significant commercial success, with over 82 million copies sold and translations into 32 languages. She also expanded her readership to include adults, publishing successful novels such as “Wifey” (1978), “Smart Women” (1983), and “Summer Sisters” (1998), all of which became New York Times bestsellers.
Beyond her writing, Judy Blume is a vocal advocate against censorship and a champion of intellectual freedom. She actively participates in various organizations, including the National Coalition Against Censorship, where she serves as a board member. She is also the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation, and sits on the boards of the Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Her steadfast commitment to her readers and her craft has earned her numerous accolades, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award (1996) for her contributions to young adult literature and being named a Library of Congress Living Legend (2000). In 2012, her novel “Tiger Eyes” was adapted into a feature film, co-written and executive produced by Blume and her son, Lawrence Blume. In 2023, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” also received a film adaptation, further solidifying her enduring cultural impact.
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